Health cover for the over-55s

Retirement Essentials is a new affordable healthcare plan for the over-55s from AXA PPP Healthcare. It's designed to address the most common medical areas that could affect your quality of life - heart conditions, arthritic joint replacement, inguinal hernias and cataracts, consultations, diagnostic tests and physiotherapy. Visit www.axappphealthcare.co.uk/essentials or tel: 0800 032 1984.

Natural anti-inflammatory.

Working in front of your PC at home and feeling the strain? A natural alternative product may help to relieve symptoms of Repetitive Strain Injury (RSI) and arthritis: Boswellia & Commiphora Cream (£19.99) from the Skin Shop can help ease the pain associated with joint inflammation without resorting to non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs). Visit www.skin-shop.co.uk or tel: 0871 871 9975. 

Re-think your perception of hearing.

A free exhibition promoting a potential design revolution in hearing aids can be seen at the V&A Museum until 5 March 2006. The purpose of HearWear - The Future of Hearing is to get people thinking more about stylish ear wear in much the same way as the development of fashionable eye-glasses. With prototypes by top UK designers, HearWear products consider ranges for the hearing and non-hearing alike with the aim of improving our quality of hearing and selection of desirable and undesirable sounds around us. The innovative concept has been endorsed by RNID and Blueprint magazine in association with brand consultancy Wolff Olins and the V&A. Visit www.vam.ac.uk/exhibitions for further information.

One to watch.

The Dipex Charity's website aimed at patients, carers and health professionals, enables the public to read about personal experiences of health and illness and find treatment and support. One hundred illnesses and conditions are featured in addition to many more general medical concerns. The charity has the backing of major health organisations and includes Channel 4's Jon Snow as its patron. Visit www.dipex.org.

Enduring quality.

Since Biblical times the Dead Sea has been known for its curative mineral waters and mud. Malki Dead Sea Skincare products harness these minerals to help the most jaded of skins. The range of products can be used either for simple pampering or to calm skin conditions such as eczema or psoriasis because they also contain olive, coconut and palm oils. Products are free from chemical irritants and their therapeutic value helps to promote good circulation. Try reviving sluggish winter skin with nurturing jasmine oil and rose petal bath salts (£5.95) and natural mineral body lotion (£7.50), or get that shine back with natural mineral shampoo (£7.50). Available from Boots nationwide or visit www.deadseabathcare.co.uk.

WEN to the Rescue.

The Women's Environmental Network (WEN) is a campaigning organisation and registered charity which addresses environmental and health issues from a female perspective. To find out more about this innovative group and how to adopt a more eco-friendly lifestyle, including the use of environmentally safe products and dealing with household waste effectively, visit the WEN website. It also features an interesting report on its Ending the Cosmetics Cover Up campaign, which includes a list of companies whose products are free from parabens and synthetic fragrances (you can also see which companies rate themselves as organic, fairtrade and more). Visit www.wen.org.uk/cosmetics/resources.htm.

Kiss me honey honey

Environmentally-friendly Burt's Bees cosmetics are made with 100 per cent natural herbs and essential oils. As they state, they contain no preservatives, chemicals or artificial colours. Their starter kits contain sample sizes: there's the Natural Remedy Kit (£14.00), which contains an array of items to help with unexpected skin irritations, burns, bruises, stings and scrapes; or treat a new mum to the fabulous Baby Bee Getting Started Kit containing ointments, oils and buttermilk bath to soothe delicate skins (£12.99). To combat icy January winds try Burt's best-seller - a stylish little tin of Beeswax Lip Balm (£2.99).

In the pink

Herbal-based hair colour brand Herbatint has given its support to the breast cancer charity, the Pink Ribbon Foundation.

Caroline Monk was in the news in 2005 when her partner, TV presenter Matthew Wright, supportively shaved his head after chemotherapy caused her to lose her hair. Once her hair had grown back, feisty Caroline chose a striking colour that would reflect the "inthePINK" breast cancer awareness campaign.

"I was bald for six months during my chemotherapy and hated wearing wigs. When my hair grew back it was baby-fine, so my friend Kate Chubb at the PRF thought I should dye it with as gentle a hair dye as possible and introduced me to Herbatint," says Caroline.

"One of the really depressing things about cancer treatment is losing your hair. When women come out of chemotherapy, they are afraid to put anything on their hair, and older women worry about being grey. They don t realise that they can still have glossy, coloured hair if they use the right kind of dye."

Herbatint uses natural extracts to protect the structure of each hair strand from damage. Formulated without ammonia, paraben preservatives or resorcinol, and with only the minimum of peroxide, the dyes have been developed to offer less aggressive, more natural alternative hair colouring.

"Every year our advice line staff talk to many women who are looking for a gentler way of colouring their hair after chemotherapy," says Herbatint's Paul Williams. "Ideally they should keep their natural colour, but pretty well all of them insist they want to avoid appearing with white or grey hair - and we firmly believe that Herbatint, which features extracts of aloe vera, meadow foam and witch hazel to condition the hair and scalp, is their best choice."

Herbatint, which is used by many professional salons to minimise the damaging chemical effects, such as brittleness and scalp sensitivity, usually associated with dyeing hair, is available in 30 shades. Retail packs cost £7.99rrp from leading pharmacies and health stores. Visit www.herbatint.co.uk or telephone the customer advice line on 0800 594 7706..

Think happy thoughts.

The thinkhappy Organic Surge range of skincare, made in the Scottish Highlands from natural organic ingredients, have fun names such as Jump Up Tropical Shower Gel (£4.99), Reassuringly Fresh Grapefruit Shampoo (£4.99) or Let's Face It Blissful Moisturiser (£6.99) - all available at Boots. Fans include actresses Courteney Cox, Katie Holmes and Patsy Palmer.

Join the BLF cycling team

Calling all WI cyclists. Want to get fit and also do your bit for charity? A unique opportunity has arisen to cycle for the British Lung Foundation (BLF) on 21-25 June 2006.

Passing through picturesque Kent countryside, you will cross the Channel and continue through the villages and medieval market towns of Northern France, passing the famous battlefields of the Somme and Agincourt. There will be some long days in the saddle! The sight of the Eiffel Tower finishing point will evoke a real sense of achievement.

Anyone who wants to take up the challenge can reserve a place for £99 and must then raise a minimum of £1,100 to get an amazing once in a lifetime experience as a reward! If you would like to be part of Team BLF, please tel: 020 7688 5581 or email: This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it